Animal-trap



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAMS. KISINGER, OF DA YTON, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFOF HIS RIGHT TO MARTIN HERRMANN, OF CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,144, dated March. 2, 1880. Application filed August 30,1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM S. KISINGER, of Dayton, Campbell county, Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal-Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of my to improved trap; Fig. 2, a vertical cross-section of the same, and Fig. 3 a spring-actuated plate.

My invention relates to that class of traps havingspring-actuated loops or chokers, which are held by a trigger in position to surround the path of the animal, which in its passage through a loop or choker trips the said trigger, when the loop or choker istightened around and secures the victim. It consists, generally, in a supporting base or platform, loops extending through and having the ends of their legs attached to a plate arranged above the same, a spring for moving said plate away from the platform or base, standards for guiding the plate and support- .ing the spring, and a trigger for holding the plate and loops or chokers until tripped by the animal.

A is a small base or platform of convenient size, from which rise two standards or guides, 13 B, which are preferably curved and brought together at the top, as shown in the drawings. Moving vertically upon the guides B, and suspended from their highest central portion by 3 5 a spiral spring, 6, is a plate, D, from the corners of which depend wire loops E E, extending through the base-piece A. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that when the spring 0 is in its normal or contracted condi- 4 tion the lower ends of the loops are held against the under side of the base-piece A, adjacent to the small metal plates 6, having downwardly-proj ectin g teeth.

The plate Dis formed with a rectangular plan view of the central opening, from opposite sides of which opening two small points or projections, ff, extend toward the center, leaving space between them to allow the play of the stem of a trigger, hereinafter described. These projection's are designed to engage the head of the trigger and retain the plate D in its lowest position against the tension of the spring.

The trigger G is pivoted laterally in a suitable opening in the base-piece A, and extends through the base-piece. It is provided above with a laterally-projecting head to engage upon the projections f, as aforesaid, and below is formed in the shape of a paddle or oar-blade.

The base-piece A may be provided with legs or corner-pieces g g, or with side pieces, 9'. The former are used as prongs to retain the apparatus on the ground in position when used as a mole-trap, and the latter when the device is used for rats or other animals.

The operation is as follows: Supposing the trap is to be used for moles, take a small paddle, shingle, or any other suitable implement and force it into the ground, so that when withdrawn it will leave depressions suitable for the vertical play of the loops E E across the path of the animal. The trap is then placed in position by iorcingits corner prongs and the paddle-shaped lower portion of the trigger into the earth. In this position the lower end of the trigger will be directly in and across the path of the mole. The plate D is then depressed and the triggerhead allowed to pass through its opening, so that when above the plate the head may engage upon the projections f f and retain the plateagainst the tension of the spring. In this position the loops practically encircle the path of the animal, and are so near the trigger that when the mole attempts to push away the obstruction formed by the trigger it becomes disengaged from the plate D, which flies upward by the force of the spring, and the loop on that side firmly secures the animal against the toothed plate 6 and retains it until the trap is removed.

When used for rats it is desirable to use the side pieces, 9, which then form, with the basepiece A, an avenue through which the animal passes to reach the trigger, which in this in stance should be baited.

Having described my invention, I claim- 5 1. The combination of the base A, having an aperture for the triggers, the trigger G, pivoted in said aperture, the plate D, having the central aperture and lugs f, and carrying the loops E, which extend through the base, and 100,

the spring 0, suitably arranged to draw the loops toward the base, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the base A, plate 1), loops E, guides B, springs O, trigger G, and toothed plate 0, all constructed and arranged substantially as specified.

3. lhe base A, having the corner prongs, g, projecting from its under side, for holding the base in a firm position, in combination with the spring-actuated plate D, having a central opening and shoulders or projections f, the loops E, carried by the latter and projecting below the base, and the pivoted trigger G, ex-

tending through and below the base, and hav- 15 the path of the animal, substantially as and 20 for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of August, 1879.

W. S. KISINGER.

Witnesses L. M. HOSEA, O. F. HESSER. 

